THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF...

Transcription

1 W I N T E R I S S U E 2 / THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF...

2 Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices CHIEF PATRON Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AM Governor of Victoria PATRON The Right Hon Cr Robert Doyle Lord Mayor of Melbourne Postal Address:... PO Box 317, Elwood, 3184 Address: Broadway, Elwood, 3184 Telephone:... (03) Facsimile:... (03) website:... PRESIDENT Norman Wittingslow JP VICE PRESIDENT Geoff Legge JP IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Glenda Frost JP COMPANY SECRETARY Michael Tse JP CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Geoff Legge JP DIRECTORS Michael Cheshire BJ JP Rodney Lavin JP Ben Loois JP Terry McKay BJ JP Paul Mracek JP Nicholas O'Connell JP Linda Rainsford BJ Rhonda Smith JP AUDITOR Carl Adams FIPA ACIS ACSA ADMINISTRATION OFFICER Cathy Owens JP... (03) COMMITTEES Membership... Merchandise... Rosters... Training... CUSTODES EDITOR Michael Cheshire BJ JP Front Cover Left to right: Cr Des Hudson, Mayor Ballarat City Council is presented with a gavel in recognition of his talk to the Ballarat Branch, by Bryan Nichols JP, Chairman. In this edition... 3 From the President s Desk 4 Annual Dinner invitation 5 Post Nominals for all Members 6 Year Badges 7 Mornington Peninsula Branch 8 New Members & DJ&R Status Confirmation 9 Central Gippsland Branch & Member Benefits Justices do more 12 Sunraysia Branch 13 How can we be more successful? Financial Reports 2015, Branch Meetings & Wimmera Branch 18 DSC Statistics 19 From the Editor s Desk 20 RVAHJ Branch Network 2 custodes

3 from the President s desk Dear Members, Fellow Justices, I am very excited to announce two new initiatives by the Directors of RVAHJ on behalf of you, the members. After several weeks of negotiation RVAHJ has formed a relationship with Member Benefits Australia (MBA). MBA Car Assist is a free car sourcing service which provides members of RVAHJ and their immediate family members with the following; Member of RVAHJ or their family member chooses the car, which must be a brand new vehicle. The member then lodges an enquiry with MBA Car Assist via a phone call giving their name and Justice Number so that the information can be verified by the RVAHJ office. This is strictly a Member only service, with absolutely no exceptions. MBA Car Assist then discusses the member's requirements in purchasing a vehicle An extended test drive may be organised. (if member has not test driven the vehicle) A quotation will be provided. (Pricing is competitive as MBA Car Assist has relationship with both Manufacturers head offices and dealers nationally and in some cases Corporate Servicing may also be included) The member then decides whether to proceed or not. If member proceeds and is looking to finance, MBA Car Assist finance will give the member a call for a quotation. Paperwork is then signed and the purchase then takes place. Please note: The member may first 'shop around' and is encouraged to do so, to obtain the best deal possible and use that price obtained as their reference. They can then contact MBA to see if they can obtain a competitive or in most cases a better price. As I have personally used their services, I can vouch for the savings I was able to make on the purchase of a new car for my wife. In fact I saved several thousand dollars on the best price I was able to obtain and in addition 3 years free service was also provided. I cannot personally guarantee that this will happen in every case, but I am sure it will pay you to at least try their service, because either way it will cost you nothing - if you either proceed with their offer or go your own way, the service MBA provide will be absolutely free to all of the members of RVAHJ. The second announcement, which has been sanctioned by the Board of RVAHJ is the awarding of a Post Nominal to recognise a member's status within the Association. The RVAHJ being a professional association, has with the introduction of its revised and new Constitution, empowered the RVAHJ as a properly recognised professional capacity to recognise all of its members by awarding a Post Nominal to signify, not only the member's membership of the RVAHJ, but also the status of that member within its membership. The conferral of a post nominal to a member of the RVAHJ, is detailed on page 5. A person who receives the award of Fellowship is entitled to call himself/herself Fellow of the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices and use the post nominal FRVAHJ for the duration of his/her membership of the association. A financial member of the association who has not qualified or has not received the award of Fellowship is entitled to use the post nominal immediately, as specified below: An associate member is entitled to use the post nominal ARVAHJ, an ordinary member is entitled to use the post nominal MRVAHJ and a retired member may continue to use the post nominal FRVAHJ or MRVAHJ provided they remain as paid up member in the category of a retired member at the fee set for retired members from time to time. Applications may only be made by contacting the association office via at admin@rvahj.org.au for an application form to be sent back to you. I would especially thank Director/Secretary Michael Tse JP for his help in formulating the criteria for these awards. I commend these initiatives to you and trust that it goes some way in demonstrating that your Board of Directors is constantly working for and on your behalf. Our Annual Dinner on the 12th of August is approaching and I exhort all who can make it to attend. The Attorney General for Victoria & Minister for Racing, The Honourable Martin Pakula MP will be our Special Guest Speaker, which will afford you the opportunity to not only hear what he has to say, but question him on any issue/s that you believe should be aired. Either way this is a wonderful night, where we can acknowledge and applaud the years of service given by our members to the community of Victoria. I trust I will see and greet you there. Norman Wittingslow JP President RVAHJ Australia Day Award We offer our heartiest congratulations to our member James Marshall Duggan OAM JP of Lucknow who was recognised in the Australia Day Honours List for his service to the community of Bairnsdale. custodes 3

4 The President and Directors cordially invite members and friends to our... 4 custodes Join us for a 3-course meal and hear our... Special Guest Speaker The Hon. Martin Pakula MP Attorney General for Victoria & Minister for Racing When: Friday 12 August, 6.30pm for 7.00pm Where: Treacy Conference Centre, 126 The Avenue, Parkville (Mel ref: Map 29 F12) Cost: $80 per head Dress: Suit & tie/after 5 (Drinks at bar prices) Don t miss out! Order your tickets now By post: Attn: Cathy Owens, PO Box 317, ELWOOD 3184 By fax: Fax: (03) admin@rvahj.org.au Attendees names (please indicate if vegetarian option required): No. $80 per head: Payment accepted by Credit card/cheque/money order/direct deposit (BSB: Account: ) Credit card details: (Please note, credit card payments will attract a 1.5% surcharge) Card type - Visa or Mastercard only (No payments by phone): Credit card number: Expiry date: Cardholder s name: Cardholder s signature Name: Street Address / PO Box: Suburb / Town: Postcode: Contact Phone: Your postal address (for delivery of tickets) RSVP: 29 July 2016 (or until sold out!)

5 Recognition for service Post nominals for all members Y our Board of Directors has decided to see that members are recognised by introducing an Award of Fellowship and conferral of post nominals to members of the RVAHJ. The award of Fellowship can be conferred on any financial member of the association (Ordinary Member, Retired Member, Associate Member or Life Member) if the person fulfils one of the following criteria: Awarded Life Membership, Meritorious Member Award, or Distinguished Member Award of the RVAHJ Awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia or above in the Australian Honours system or an overseas equivalent. Has provided exemplary service to the community and/or the RVAHJ. In determination of whether a person meets the definition of exemplary service, a point system is used. A member is deemed providing an exemplary service to the community and/or the association if the person attains a total of 100 points. Points can be accumulated from more than one service provided by a person in a particular year (for example, if a person concurrently serves as branch chairman and signing centre coordinator, the person can accumulate 16 ( points for each year of service). A person who receive the award of Fellowship is entitled to call himself/herself Fellow of the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices and use the postnominal FRVAHJ for the duration of his/her membership of the association. A financial member of the association who does not receive the award of Fellowship is entitled to use the postnominal immediately, as specified below: An associate member is entitled to use the postnominal ARVAHJ. An ordinary member is entitled to use the postnominal MRVAHJ. A retired member may continue to use the postnominal MRVAHJ provided they remain as paid up member in the category of or a retired member at the fee set for retired members from time to time. Points may be awarded retrospectively. Applications may be made by contacting the association office via on ad.officer.rvahj@gmail.com for a form to be sent back to you. List of points available for services provided. Service Points Per Year of Service Service Points Per Year of Service Service to the RVAHJ/Justice Service to the Community Patron in Chief/Patron 100 President 15 Vice President 12 Director/Company Secretary 10 Branch Chairman 8 Branch Committee Member/ Signing Centre Coordinator Regular Member of Signing Centre (must average 1 attendance per month) Member of the RVAHJ 2 Bail Justice (active on roster) Minister of the Crown 25 Member of Federal or State Parliament 20 Mayor/Chair of Statutory Board 15 Deputy Mayor/Deputy Chair of Statutory Board Councillor/Member of a Statutory Board President (or equivalent) of professional or Community Organisation Director (or equivalent) of Professional or Community Organisation custodes 5

6 Wear it with pride! Your one time opportunity! Y es - this may be your only opportunity to purchase a RVAHJ year badge. Following some requests from members, for an association membership year badge, the board has agreed to produce a number of badges, for those who register an interest in purchasing them. If you are interested in taking up this offer, please complete the order form below. The badges will be available at $9.50 each. Some members may wish to purchase a set. Each year badge will be reproduced with a different background colour for the year listed. The wording in the centre of the badge will be a metal colour similar to that around the edge of the badge. It is difficult to reproduce the actual colour on the computer. The badges will have a pin with a clasp grip on the rear. Size will be the same as the membership badges. They will be produced for 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years, 30 years, 35 years, 40 years, 45 years, 50 years, 55 years and 60 years. We shall require a minimum number of badges ordered to make this happen, so please complete and return your order soon. I wish to place an order for a membership year badge or badges. The cost of each badge will be $9.50 including GST retail. Name:... Postal Address:... Phone No.:... Personal ... Years as a member of the RVAHJ:... 6 custodes Sample drawing only - greatly enlarged If your number of years membership is unknown, we shall confirm it for you and get back to you. Please indicate which badges you wish to order 5 years 10 years 15 years 20 years 25 years 30 years 35 years 40 years 45 years 50 years 55 years 60 years Sample drawing only - greatly enlarged Please do not forward any funds as yet. You shall be billed later. I understand that if there are not enough orders to make production viable, then production will not proceed. Please return via to: admin@rvahj.org.au or post to: RVAHJ, PO Box 317, Elwood, 3184

7 Mornington Peninsula Branch Left to right: Chairman Graham Unwin JP with Barrie Hunt & Vice Chairman Barry Lewis JP. T he Mornington Peninsula held its second meeting for the year at Frankston Police Station. Barry Lewis, Vice Chair, organised the guest speaker for the evening. Mr Barrie Hunt, Honorary Research Fellow, CSIRO, spoke to members about global warming and what we can do to assist our planet. Barrie was extremely knowledgeable on the subject and filled our heads with a myriad of facts & figures. In addressing the Sceptics, Barrie assured us it was definitely happening, whether we believe it's a natural occurrence or man-made and supported his theory with both mathematical and factual information. Barrie Hunt was presented with a certificate of appreciation & an RVAHJ carafe for his time & presentation. Other items of business included reports from Signing Centres. Peter Newman - Frankston Signing Centre tabled a report and advised that MORE JPs were needed to staff that centre which operates 6 days a week, Monday to Frankston Police Station from 10.00am till 3.00pm & Saturday Morning on a roster system. Contact is Bob Bolch on mob Hastings co-ordinator Chris Warwick advised that all was going well, whilst Rosebud co-ordinator Helen Alcock informed the meeting that the Signing Centre is becoming busier & that 2 days a week are being trialled. Rosebud co-ordinator Helen Alcock would appreciate the help of any JPs to assist 1 day a month from 11.00am till 2.00pm - Thursday or Monday, Phone mob: Some JPs have been presented with outdated forms from newsagents & advise us to beware when signing/ witnessing some documents from that source. The next meeting of the Mornington Peninsula Branch is at Frankston Police Headquarters pm, Wednesday June 1st. This article is presented by Branch Secretary, Fay Hunter phone Submitted by Ian Lyons JP Frankston Signing Centre tabled a report and advised that MORE JPs were needed to staff that centre which operates 6 days a week. custodes 7

8 New Members The president and directors warmly welcome the following new members: David Bellchambers BJ... PRESTON Nathan Goetz JP... FOOTSCRAY Peter Guest BJ... MARYSVILLE Michelle Jokic JP... BELL POST HILL Wendy Lester JP... WANGARATTA Jennifer McAuslan JP... PAKENHAM Douglas Peachey JP... CLOVERLEA Mian Rajput JP... DERRIMUT Noel Read JP... WARRNAMBOOL Eric Sangwell JP... ROSEBUD Tuan Tran JP...WINDSOR Victor Zammit JP... GREENVALE Status confirmation questionnaire - traffic law breaches T he Department of Justice and Regulation (the department) recognises and appreciates the significant contribution that Justices of the Peace (JPs) make to the Victorian community. The Honorary Justices Act 2014 (the Act) introduced important reforms to the law governing JPs in order to maintain the high standing of the office of JP and to ensure that JPs provide high quality services to the Victorian community. Essential to the integrity and high standing of the office of JP is the appointment of fit and proper persons who have the required skills and knowledge to undertake the role. The 5-yearly status confirmation process is the primary mechanism under the Act to ensure that JPs have the necessary skills and good character. JPs appointed prior to 1971 completed the status confirmation process in 2015 with JPs appointed prior to 1971 to 1980 undertaking the process in Made up of two parts, the status confirmation process includes prescribed training and a questionnaire covering 12 questions targeted to personal matters and availability. Completion of the questionnaire has raised some questions for our JPs about how much detail they should provide particularly, the question Have you been charged with breaches of the traffic law in Australia or overseas in the last 5 years? These include speeding or parking fines. A few JPs have asked why traffic offences or parking fines are relevant given that in most instances they do not result in imprisonment or harm to others. The primary purpose of this question is to protect the integrity and high standing of the office of JP. It draws on legislative provisions and the Guidelines issued under the Act as they relate to a fit and proper person, not bringing the office into disrepute and the disclosure of all alleged breaches of the criminal law and traffic law. The Guideline sets out the test for a 'fit and proper person, which includes the extent to which the offending reveals attitudes of dishonesty, personal violence or lack of regard for the legal system. It is the lack of regard for the legal system that is most important in ensuring that each JP is a fit and proper person to hold office and that JPs do not, through their offending, bring the office into disrepute. While a single traffic infringement or parking fine is not likely to reflect poorly on a JP s character, multiple traffic offences or multiple parking fines may. When assessing the information provided in response to this question, the department takes into account the number of traffic and parking offences, the length of time since the date of the last offending and the extent to which the offending discloses attitudes of dishonesty or lack of regard for the legal system. I hope this explanation is helpful to JPs who are completing the status confirmation process. Further information about the status confirmation process can be found on the honorary justices website at Kim Eldridge Manager Honorary Justice Office May custodes

9 Central Gippsland Branch A Dinner was held at the Traralgon Bowling club with some 35 members in attendance. The Traralgon Bowling Club put on a very nice Dinner, which was very much appreciated by the justices. Special guest was Alan Wilson who was leader of the Traralgon Brass Band. The band has just returned from a triumphant tour of the united Kingdom and Europe, where they played with much acclaim at several World War I War Cemeteries. Along the way, the band won several band competitions. The tour was very successful and they notched several firsts as no Australian band had preceded them. Central Gippsland Branch justices enjoy getting together at their dinner. Submitted by Kevin Potter JP Left to right: Chairman Jim Hood JP, Guest Speaker Alan Wilson and Don Ferguson JP.

10 Justices Do More M any justices have an extra life of volunteering, while performing their role as a justice of the peace or a bail justice. This is very evident at the time of Australia day and Queen s Birthday Awards and Citizens of the Year Awards and other outstanding awards around the State. Please find just four of our justices stories in being recipients of these awards. Deepak Vinayak JP Deepak is the recipient of the Multicultural Award for Excellence which was presented to him at Government house last December. Coming from the South Asian- Indian Community Deepak Vinayak has been engaging with the newly arriving migrants. He has actively mentored students and research scholars from universities of Victoria, Monash, Deakin and La Trobe. Deepak holds the following... People of Australia Ambassador Australia Day Ambassador White Ribbon Ambassador Board member for North Western Adult, Community & Further Education Regional Advisory Council Member for North & West Metropolitan, Victorian Multicultural Commission Patron South Asian Community Link Group- Australasia John Maddock BJ JP & David Atkinson OAM BJ JP David Atkinson OAM BJ JP was named City of Warrnambool Australia Day, Citizen of the Year and John Maddock JP BJ received the City of Warrnambool, Australia Day, Local Achiever Award. David was inducted into the Order of Australia in He has provided long and exemplary service to the Warrnambool and district community with over 21 years in local government, as a councillor, as mayor and as a Commissioner. He has been a JP Deepak Vinayak JP receives his Multicultural Award for Excellence at Government House on 3rd December custodes David Atkinson OAM JP BJ with his City of Warrnambool Citizen of the Year Award and John Maddock JP BJ received with his City of Warrnambool Local Achiever Award.

11 since 2001 and BJ from David is an active volunteer at the Warrnambool DSS and was this year inducted into the 100 Club John has been a JP for over 30 years and a BJ for over 25. He is currently the Chairman of the South West Branch of RVAHJ. Ian Elston JP Wodonga has recognised long-time Rotary Club member, Ian Elston JP as its Citizen of the Year. Mr Elston, 69, is a member of the Rotary Club of Wodonga Central, supporting and leading many of the club's projects including its senior citizens' Christmas luncheon. He is a retired defence training manager and a long-serving Justice of the Peace. Ian is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Upper Murray Branch RVAHJ. Michael Cheshire BJ JP Michael was awarded Citizen of the Year for Clunes in 2015 and Hepburn Shire Council, Australia Day, Citizen of the Year in His awards included work in his role locally as a justice of the peace and bail justice. Michael has been a JP for 35 years and BJ for 26 years. As President of the Australasian Council of Justices Associations, Michael brought the annual meeting to Ballarat and Clunes. The first such meeting held outside a capital city. Michael is the RVAHJ longest serving director. Michael s Honorary CV is Past President RVAHJ Hon. Life Member RVAHJ Merit Award RVAHJ RVAHJ Centenary Award 27 years director RVAHJ Ministerial Appointment, JP Appointment Board Past President ACJA 23 years Councillor ACJA 14 years Hon. Registrar ACJA Former Mayor Hepburn Shire Lay Minister Ballarat Diocese Former Chieftain Daylesford Highland Gathering President Clunes Tourist & Development Association Vice President Clunes Cemetery Trust Ministerial Appointment Wombat Community Forest Management Committee Secretary/Treasurer Clunes National Ceramics Award Hon. Marketing Manager St John s Home for Boys & Girls Hon. Photographer Burwood Children s Home Justices are involved in many other community volunteering tasks, for their local area. Ian Elston JP received the Wodonga Rotary Club Citizen of the Year Award. Michael Cheshire BJ JP with both his Hepburn Shire Council, Australia Day, Citizen of the Year Award and his Clunes Citizen of the Year Award. custodes 11

12 Just reward for volunteer Justice of the peace Trevor Aust first to win trophy. Trevor Aust JP with his trophy. W hen justice of the peace Trevor Aust JP sits down for a shift at the Mildura police station s signing centre, he never knows what he s going to get. While the most common documents brought to the JPs desk are birth certificates needing certification, Trevor said his time in the role in Mildura had created some interesting situations. I would say our signing centre is unique because we re virtually on the border of three states. You get the Gol Gol driver who has been picked up for speeding in South Australia and they bring the document to a Victorian JP, Trevor said. Trevor s efforts as a volunteer saw him recognised by his peers fellow members of the Sunraysia branch of the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices (RVAHJ) with the inaugural John Malcolm Perpetual Trophy. The award was created to be presented to a significant contributor to the local RVAHJ branch each year. Trevor, a former chairman and the current treasurer of the branch, was chosen as the trophy s first winner but modestly shared the accolades with those he works alongside at the signing centre. His prize screams Mildura and is very heavy, being a treated and varnished Mallee root displaying a RVAHJ badge that once adorned John Malcolm s motor vehicle. I was delighted to win it but I have got a great group of about 22 JPs who help out on a roster, Trevor said. One of about 70 JPs between Colignan and Yelta, Trevor embodies volunteerism. Originally from Adelaide, he moved to Mildura as a young Commonwealth Bank employee. While he later moved around the state and back to South Australia, family ties (he married a Mildura girl) helped him make Sunraysia his home. While many in Mildura know Trevor as a justice of the peace, the community-minded man has worn many hats over the years. A life member of Neighbourhood Watch, Trevor also served on the school boards at St Joseph s College and St Paul s Primary School. He has volunteered as a driver for Vision Australia for the past 15 years and today also gives his time to St Vincent de Paul as a volunteer with its no interest loans scheme. Another one of his passions, football, saw him become involved with the Mildura Football Club almost by chance as a trainer. He then became involved with the club at an administrative level, serving as its secretary but Trevor said his involvement with local football was now confined to the past. It s a passing of time but there are certain people that stay with you, people that you meet along the way, he said. Despite having given more to the community than he has taken, Trevor isn t about to stop. In his words, it has helped him remain stimulated and has brought with it the satisfaction of having provided a service to the community. When you retire, you have got to have something on the other side. If you don t have it, you ll just waste away. by Christopher Testa Sunraysia Daily Photo Carmel Zaccone Sunraysia Daily 12 custodes

13 How can we be more successful? T o date, 2016 has been a very good year for the Ballarat Branch. The year commenced with the Branch s annual dinner in February with 60 members and guests attending. The guest speaker was Judy Verlin AM who spoke on her former roles as the mayor of the City of Ballarat and past chairman of the Committee For Ballarat. During the evening five more members were inducted into the 100 Club and received their certificates from Superintendent Andrew Allen APM. The 100 Club, as with other branches, recognises those members who have achieved one hundred days of voluntary service at the document signing centre within the Ballarat Police Station. This year s annual dinner is the fourth such occasion at the new venue. Previous guest speakers have been The Attorney General The Honourable Robert Clark MLA; David Battersby AO Vice Chancellor Federation University and Tim Cartwright Acting Chief Commissioner Victoria Police. The annual dinner is also an occasion for certificates of appreciation to be presented to Branch members for outstanding service. Successive Association presidents and the partners have also attended the Branch dinners. The Ballarat Branch also holds a quarterly members meeting at the Sebastopol Bowling Club. Apart from being a forum for members to talk about matters related to their service it also gives them an opportunity to hear about local issues from a guest speaker. Previous guest speakers have included a WIN TV newsreader; the mayor of the City of Ballarat; a director of one of the local hospitals and Julia Young from the Honorary Justice Office. With Branch members located all around the Central Highlands Region it is felt that a quarterly meeting, with an average of 25 members in attendance, suits the members well. At this venue, members take the opportunity to meet prior to the meeting and have a meal together with their partners. The Ballarat Document Signing Centre is now the largest regional centre and the fourth largest in Victoria surpassed only by Metropolitan centres. The Centre is staffed for 4.5 hours on Mondays to Thursdays and 6.5 hours on Fridays each week. 32 honorary justices volunteer as roster members. Early this year when it became necessary to recruit more roster members the Branch Chairman wrote to all known honorary justices in the region who were not already roster members. He reminded them of their obligations to be both active and available and that this could be fulfilled as a document signing centre roster member. Seven positive responses were received and these JPs after completing a buddy session at the police station with an experienced roster member followed by a Births, Deaths and Marriages accreditation session became new roster members. Whilst some are only available to fill in on an emergency basis each is a welcome addition to fill a void created by transfers, long term health issues and the passing of two members. The Ballarat Document Signing Centre celebrates its tenth year of operation in July This achievement will be recognised by Victoria Police with the original roster members also being acknowledged for their diligent service at a special function. Bryan Nicholls JP Chairman - Ballarat Branch. Front Cover Story In a move to have branches share their successes, Ballarat Branch chairman, Bryan Nicholls JP, has written a background on how this branch provides information, a conduit for sharing stories and fellowship. We welcome other branches sharing their story. What makes a successful branch? Is it interesting speakers, exchange of stories on matters judicial, bringing partners to meetings and sharing a meal, making presentations to justices who reach certain milestones, inviting the president of the association and regional Superintendent to your annual dinner? What works for you Please let us know. Let us share the successes! The front cover depicts the speaker at the last Ballarat Branch regular meeting, with Ballarat Chairman Bryan Nicholls JP. As Mayor of Ballarat, Cr Des Hudson was able to thank the justices for the work throughout the municipality and in his other role as a member of Victoria Police, expressed just how valuable justices were to the judicial system, both as bail justices and justices of the peace through Signing Centres. custodes 13

14 Please find the audited Statement of Financial Performance for the year ended 31st December custodes

15 Please find the audited Statement of Financial Performance for the year ended 31st December custodes 15

16 Please find the notes to the audited Statement of Financial Performance for the year ended 31st December custodes

17 Please find the notes to the audited Statement of Financial Performance for the year ended 31st December T he City & Northern Group has supplied us with their program for They would be pleased to have anyone join them for their meetings. Can you please let Bryan Nitz JP know if you wish to attend. is jp11274@rvahj.org.au & if they can bring a plate for Supper all Members & Guests are more than welcome. Date Speaker Venue 20th June Speaker - Mr Greg Davies APM Victims of Crimes Commissioner Venue: Broadmeadows Branch Meetings 8th Aug. 10th Oct. Speaker - Deputy Commissioner, Wendy Steendham Venue: Fawkner Speaker - Hon Justice Betty King QC Venue: Broadmeadows Meetings are held at either the Broadmeadows or Fawkner Police Stations at 7 30 PM. Broadmeadows : 15 Dimboola Road, Broadmeadows Fawkner : 1151 Sydney Road, Fawkner, opposite the First & Last Hotel. Submitted by Bryan Nitz JP Meeting at Ararat P resident Norman Wittingslow JP, attended the Wimmera Branch on February 6th 2016 at the Chalambar Golf Club to make a presentation on the new Powers of Attorney Act The Wimmera Branch changed the venue to Ararat in order to make travelling a lot easier for many who attended from surrounding districts, this initiative resulted in a very good attendance and an enjoyable and rewarding day for all. Left to right: Lois Johnson BJ, Secretary of the Wimmera Branch; Norman Wittingslow JP and Geoff Penna JP, Chairman of the Wimmera Branch custodes 17

18 Document Signing Centre Reports DSC Jan Feb Mar Apr Year Total Altona Library Altona RSL Ballarat Benalla Bendigo Box Hill Bright Broadmeadows Caulfield Corio Corryong Craigieburn Cranbourne Dandenong Drysdale New Eltham Epping Fawkner Flemington Footscray Frankston Geelong Hamilton - New Hastings - New Horsham Laverton Hub Mansfield DSC Jan Feb Mar Apr Year Total Melbourne Town Hall Mildura Monash Uni Moonee Ponds Morwell Myrtleford Northcote Oakleigh Pakenham Portland - New Preston Reservoir Ringwood RMH Rosebud Sale Springvale Sunbury Wangaratta Wangaratta Library Warragul Warrnambool Werribee , Williamstown Wodonga Wonthaggi Monthly Total A Timely Reminder Bob Ford back again. I would like to raise a concern that I have in regards to JP s completing Births, Deaths & Marriages documents. It has come to my attention over a period of time, that there are still JP's out in the system, that still don't understand that if they are NOT able to complete BDM documents outside of a Police Station and must have completed the BDM exam. I feel that this needs to be brought to the attention of our JP members once again, possible in our next addition of Custodes. There must be other Coordinators out there with the same issue, as we often are receiving BDM applications returned as NOT completed properly and not by 18 custodes Certified JP's. Hope you don't mind me raising this problem but we need to get the message out to them again and maybe hopefully, they understand the protocol and that they need to attend a Document Signing Centre at a Police Station, which would help Coordinators or tell people that they are able complete said documents and forward them to a DSC point suitable. submitted by Robert M Ford. BJ JP JPs are also authorised to certify BDM documents for purposes other than for the Registry. Check before you sign, for what purpose that the copies are required and for whom. Editor

19 from the Editor s desk Fellow Readers All good things come to an end. Change is inevitable. Yes, you have heard these sayings and they mean more to me just now, after taking the decision to step down as a director of the association. I have been honoured to serve justices on the board for over 27 years and been blessed to know and work with some honourable, hard working and creative people. The board and indeed the association has, for most of the time, worked in harmony to achieve some excellent benefits for justices in general and members of the association in particular. I can clearly remember, as president, heading a deputation to the then Attorney -General with a list of recommendations including mandatory training, an annual grant, a permanent home, and an increase in the numbers of justices appointed. We have achieved mandatory training, we received our annual grant until there was a government cut back, we received our permanent home initially at Camberwell, where we had a fully maintained, peppercorn rent property; but unfortunately we have not had an increase in justices. The number of bail justices and justices of the peace has diminished greatly over the years. If we had more justices, we could provide the people of Victoria with greater services. I wish to thank all my colleagues on the board, over the years, for their team work and friendship. Thanks also goes to those good people in the Department of Justice, who have and continue to provide support and guidance. In stepping down I shall relinquish my role as editor of Custodes, which I have held for over 15 years. Please continue to support Custodes with your stories and ideas. In sharing we can learn from each other. I look forward to increasing benefits for all justices and wish you all well. Spectemur Agendo Michael Cheshire BJ JP Editor State Trustees would like to say Thanks with a 20% off special offer State Trustees has been helping Victorians with their financial needs for 75 years. We recognise that JPs have played a crucial role in helping State Trustees to achieve this. By way of thanks for your ongoing assistance, we d like to offer you and your partner 20% off the standard State Trustees price for a Will and Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial). To make an appointment or for more information, call or visit statetrustees.com.au custodes 19

20 RVAHJ branch network METRO City & Northern Bob Williams JP (B&H) Dandenong Nigel Carter JP (H) Diamond Valley Cheryl Duff JP (M) Glen Waverley Richard Sluggett JP (M) Maroondah Brian Ross-Soden (H) Monash Nick O Connell JP monash@rvahj.org.au (M) Mornington Peninsula Fay Hunter JP fayhunter2@bigpond.com (M) Sunbury & Districts Terry Larkins JP sunbury@rvahj.org.au (M) Westgate Vicki Howitt JP Victoria.Howitt@cohealth.org.au (M) Wyndham Robert Bradley JP (M) COUNTRY Ballarat Bryan Nicholls JP sandbnicholls@bigpond.com (H) (M) Benalla Joy Poole JP (M) Bendigo Helen Yorston JP d.d.wright@bigpond.com (H) Buloke Garry Larmour JP ray_suewalker@gjr.net.au (B&H) Central Gippsland Don Ferguson JP donaldferguson@optusnet.com.au (B&H) Cranbourne Sue Martin JP (M) Geelong Alston Park AM JP jp12742@rvahj.org.au (M) South Gippsland Wendy Caple JP (H) South West Bernard Reid JP bernardreid@bigpond.com Sunraysia Cheryl Webb JP rvahjsunraysia@gmail.com (M) Upper Murray Ian Elston JP jp11679@rvahj.org.au (B&H) Wellington Lyn McLindin JP quincy1935@bigpond.com (M) Wimmera Lois Johnson BJ johlo7@bigpond.com (M) Yarra Valley Wendy Booth JP (M) EDITORIAL POLICY The official journal of the Royal Victorian Association of Honorary Justices has appeared in various formats since As is practice in publications, the current Custodes does not necessarily represent the views of the RVAHJ since it encourages contributions from a wide cross-section of members and beyond. The editor reserves the right to edit any material. Submission of any material constitutes permission to edit and publish any material. Articles and letters are most welcome, but are subject to the discretion of the editor. ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES Advertising in Custodes reaches a state wide audience of influential community leaders and business professionals. Advertising costs: full page : $345; half page : $175; quarter page : $90 & business card : $45; member discount 20%. Contact the editor for advertising for your business. CUSTODES DEADLINES Issue 1 - March 1 Issue 2 - July 1 Issue 3 - November 1